Dr Golf's Swing Surgery

THE BALL FLIGHT LAWS  

Law: There are 5 ball flight laws. That is, 5 things which when added together govern the way a golf ball will fly (these are basic causes not peripheral issues like a cross wind or a sloping lie) the Ball Flight Laws are all measured at impact (that millisecond when the ball stays in contact with the clubface) and are scientific physical laws that can not be altered.

(1) Speed
The velocity of the club at impact

(2) Clubface Position
The position of the clubface at impact

(3) Angle of Attack
The angle that the club descends at impact

(4) Swingpath Direction
The direction that the club is travelling at impact

(5) Strike
The position on the clubface where the strike is made

Let's translate the Laws into terms of ball flight:-

(1) Speed: Governs with Angle of Attack and also Strike Distance (Distance is chiefly achieved through speed x mass (trajectory, also important)

(2) Clubface Position: Governs along with Strike ball flight deviation (hooks/slices))

(3) Angle of Attack: Governs trajectory and therefore influences Distance

(4) Swingpath Direction: Governs initial flight Direction

(5) Strike: Governs both Direction and also Distance

As you can see, the ball's behaviour is governed by the Ball Flight Laws. Every shot that the player strikes can be analysed, faults attributed to Ball Flight Law violation and therefore relevant swing fixes can be offered.

Here's how it works:-

By watching the ball flight the direct cause of any error can be identified. Tracing back through the priority levels of the model will highlight remedies that will fix the fault. These are the processes (whether they are aware of it or not) that every golf coach goes through when giving tuition on the range e.g.:-

Ask three questions

(1) Was it a clean strike?

If not check the Principles and Preferences that influence Strike.

(2) Did the ball fly straight and on line?

If the ball flies straight but off line then look at the Principles and Preferences that influence Swingpath Direction.

If the ball deviates in the air (hooks/slices) look at the Principles and Preferences that influence Clubface Position or Strike.

(3) Did it fly far enough?

If not, look for the Principles and Preferences that effect Speed or Angle of Attack or Strike.

So there we have the first part of swing analysis. All the definitions for the Ball Flight Laws carry an explanation as to which characteristics of ball flight are affected. The sections on Principles and Preferences also carry similar explanations.

Identify the Law (or Laws) from the flight of the ball, that is being violated and that will show where the basic problem/s lie.

 

 

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